Chugach Electric Association held its Board of Directors election today. Polling closed with the beginning of the Annual Membership Meeting at 4:00 p.m. Results were announced around 5:30 p.m.
Penny Gage and Rachel Morse were elected to the two open Director seats. Gage received 6,345 votes; Morse received 6,587 votes.
Two other candidates ran: Todd Lindley and Michael McManamon. Lindley received 3,234 votes and McManamon received 2,207 votes.
The election also included two ballot measures, one authorizing grammar updates to the Association’s bylaws and the other granting the Board of Directors the power to set the membership fee (which the current bylaws set at $5). Voters authorized the grammar updates (8,618 – 1,004). The measure to change the fee-setting power needed a 2/3rds vote to pass but failed with only a 59% “yes” vote.
Below is information on the newly elected Directors:
Penny Gage
Penny Gage is the Energy and Policy Executive at Launch Alaska, Fulbright Arctic Initiative. Her campaign site emphasizes her Alaskan roots, energy expertise, and willingness to serve. She promises to deliver gas security, energy diversification, consumer growth, and transparent governance.
Penny Gage’s Candidate Statement:
I am running for the Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors to ensure reliable, affordable power for our members during a pivotal time for our region. As a member-owner, I believe Chugach Electric must remain financially strong and accountable to its members.
Born and raised in Alaska and of Tlingit heritage, I have lived in Anchorage for over 11 years and am raising two young children here with my husband. My career has focused on energy policy, infrastructure investment, and economic development. I have worked in state government, private investment, and nonprofit leadership roles evaluating capital projects and long-term risk. I currently work with utilities, policymakers, and investors to support infrastructure investments and responsibly integrate emerging technologies.
Chugach faces tightening natural gas supply, significant capital investment decisions, and heavy reliance on a single fuel. These realities require disciplined oversight, strong financial stewardship, and pragmatic long-term planning. If elected, I will focus on:
- Advancing practical near-term gas supply strategies that prioritize reliability and manage costs
- Protecting ratepayers through financial management and transparent governance
- Reducing long-term risk through diversification and cost effective modernization
Reliable power affects every household and business. I would be honored to earn your vote.
Penny Gage’s endorsements include: The Alaska Center, IBEW 1547, and REAP; Alaska State Senators Bert Stedman, Cathy Giessel, and Forrest Dunbar; Alaska State Representatives Calvin Schrage, Zack Fields, and Carolyn Hall; former Alaska State Senator Lesil McGuire; former Alaska State Representatives Willie Hensley, Sam Kito III, Ivy Sponholz, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, and Jennie Armstrong; Anchorage Assembly Members Daniel Volland, Chris Constant, and Anna Brawley; as well as Isaac Vanderburg, Shaina Kilcoyne, Erin Whitney, Sydney Scout, Diane Kaplan, Michael Bourdukofsky, Larry Persily, Raina Thiele, Kate Consenstein, Rachel Pennington, Susan Anderson, Cordelia Kellie, Claire Pywell, Rachel Kallander, Jay Hermanson, Laile Fairbairn, Ben Kellie, Kirk Rose, Gretchen Fauske, Janis Fleischman, Lance Miller, Piper Foster Wilder, Veronica Slajer, Ian Laing, Jon Bittner, and Ross Johnston.
Rachel Morse
Rachel Morse has worked in Operational Management for the Alaska Municipal League. Running for re-election, her campaign focuses on her prior experience on the Chugach Electric Board. According to her Facebook site, she is committed to renewable energy, safety, reliability, affordability, and “working for a vibrant Alaska economy.”
Rachel Morse’s Candidate Statement:
In my past two terms, I have worked hard to help position Chugach Electric to meet the challenges of gas supply, renewable integration, and responsible rates.
The environment in which Chugach Electric provides reliable, affordable, and responsibly sourced power is evolving. Soon we will be beyond our long-term local gas supply contract, leaning into a Railbelt-wide Integrated Resource Plan, and continuing to balance infrastructure needs with load growth. As a current board member, I possess a strong combination of experience, commitment, and optimism for the important road ahead.
Recent initiatives I have supported include successful management of Beluga River gas field, gas storage and gas exchange agreements, southern transmission line rebuild work, and Alaska’s first community solar project. Thank you to our members for supporting me and through your engagement, helping me to represent your interests. I would be honored to have your vote for another term.
My priorities are:
- Ensuring we meet natural gas supply needs
- Grid Infrastructure Upgrades and Railbelt-wide planning
- Continued responsible renewable energy integration
All of that while working hard to control costs, maintain reliability, and keep the lowest rates on the Railbelt.
Thank you!
